Chapter Four
EPOV
I was slightly out of breath after trying to 'inconspicuously' run in the opposite direction once I caught sight of Jessica Stanley walking abnormally fast in her five inch stilettos. Who was I kidding? I was running like a madman. That girl was as slobbery as a hungry dog waiting to be fed, hence why I looked like I was in an Olympic marathon. It was after school and I had just shut my locker when I heard someone call my name down the hall.
"EDWARD! Wait up!!" Unfortunately, she was coming from the direction of the school parking lot which left my signature bat-mobile escape plan out of the equation. Looking desperately around for some place to hide, I caught sight of the boy's washroom and I could see that light shining from heaven down on it like a sanctuary. I made a mad dash for it, but just when I was five feet from entering my haven, something, or rather someone, stood in front of the doors and threw that idea out the window.
"Oh shit," I breathed, defeated, halting to a stop before I crashed.
"Edward!" Lauren Mallory flung her eighty pound body at me, locking my head in between her scrawny arms. She lifted her feet off the ground and I awkwardly held her before I felt as if said arms would snap if she let what little weight she have rest upon them. "I tried to get your attention earlier at lunch, didn't you hear me?"
"Uh…" I tried gently prying her off of me but she didn't seem to get the message so I had to resort to my only option. "Can you stop hanging off of me like some sort of annoying necktie trying to choke me?" I barked out bitterly laced with annoyance. I didn't always like acting like some stuck up asshole but sometimes it's the only time they'll listen to you.
"Oh, sorry," she giggled, meaning to sound cute but sounding more like a creepy pedophile. "I just missed you so much, and I think we should get back together." Lauren started running her bony fingers down my arm. I couldn't help but shudder, and not in an interested way.
I never dated a girl more than once so when I looked up with her a second time last year, due to boredom, she instantly thought she was special. Yeah, right. I was still making out with several different girls in between and everyone was aware of it.
"No I'm sorry," her eyes lit up in excitement, thinking I actually felt bad. "I have a date tonight and if you don't get out of my way, I'm going to be late." as quickly as her face beamed was as fast as her face fell as I pushed her out of my way. Hopefully Jessica gave up on me and went home by now.
"Wait, what the hell! With who?!" she ran up to walk next to me and nearly topped over due to the height of her shoes but I didn't bother giving her a hand to balance herself.
"Not that it's any of your business, but it's with Bella," my smile grew, and I licked my lips, anticipating when she would lick them too.
"The new girl?! You have got to be joking!" her arms flailed to show how exasperated she was. Whatever. She was just jealous because 'the new girl' was at least fifty times hotter than the hottest girl in the school. Which wasn't very at all, and Lauren wasn't that girl, so you'd get why I was picking up my pace, once I saw the exit to the parking lot.
"No I'm not," I pushed through the doors and headed towards my Volvo.
"Well will you at least give me a ride?" she whined out of desperation, as I unlocked the door.
"Uh, let me think about that…no," I threw my bag into the passenger seat before climbing in. I shut the door and backed out while Lauren stomped her foot like some four year old. I burst out laughing though when I started driving off after that stomp looks to have caught the heel of her shoe in a crack in the pavement and she broke it off trying to pull it out.
"Not that's a sad situation I'm going to pretend didn't happen," I sighed once I calmed myself enough, having almost swerved the car from my hysterics.
. x s2 x .
I checked myself over in the mirror again for probably the tenth time. As soon as I got home, I called for reservations before hitting the books but didn't realize the material would be so easy until I finished it in just under an hour. I still had another hour and a half before I needed to start driving over to Bella's so I watched some TV. There wasn't anything good on after the first show so I went to get ready, changing into some dark jeans and a black button up, leaving it untucked with the last three left open. I left my hair because for some reason, girls digged that messy-just rolled-out-of-bed look and it seemed like the only look it knew how to stay in. Guys started trying to get the same look all the time, but it was evident with how much gel they used.
"Will you stop pacing so hard? I'm starting to feel the vibrations from my room," Alice popped her head into my room, her thin brows narrowed at me in annoyance.
"Sorry, just bored out of my mind," was my excuse.
"Why?"
"I have a date with Bella," I wasn't sure whether I should've told her or not, considering I wasn't normally this anticipated about a date. Half the time I was late because I didn't really care, since I knew they didn't mind waiting for me anyway. They were just happy I was taking them out at all.
She stayed silent for a while, just staring at me, and I couldn't help but wonder what her deal was.
"What? It's not like I've never dated a new girl before," of course, there were probably only about two since our freshman year but I still hooked up with them.
"Yeah, but do you even remember their names?" Okay she had me there. "And Bella's my friend, she's different from the other girls and I know we're going to be long-term friends, I can feel it. So it's not going to be awkward between the two of you after you toss her aside and she comes over for a sleepover with me? It's not going to be tense when Esme invites her over for dinner? She's not going to come to me crying when she sees you with another girl glued to your mouth while you could give a damn about her feelings?"
"Okay, you can shut it now," I interrupted before she could open her yap again. "I'll still show her some affection if she wants after maybe three weeks. I think I'll keep her longer than the usual, maybe even a month," I bargained to make my sister happy. She could be a broken record that doesn't know how to stop talking when she's pissed.
I took a step back when she walked right up to me and jabbed me with her manicured finger in the chest. "You don't get it do you? Half of those girls you date have cried over you when you dropped them like a rock. What if that happens to her? Who do you think she's going to turn to after she gets attached to you? She probably won't even go near me because I'm related to you and she won't want anything to do with you after this." She was steaming now, looking like she wanted to bang my head against the wall as if that would seal her words into it.
I didn't need this. I looked at the time and decided Bella wouldn't mind if I was a little early. Looking back at my Alice, I glared back at her and pushed her aside. "You know what, I don't need this. She wants to go out with me so it's her decision, not yours. It's not like Bella's just some kid, she'll get over it, so back off and let her do what she wants to. It was pretty obvious I was interested in her so you should've just told her about me if you really care about her so much," I grabbed my wallet and my keys and headed out of my room.
"That's what I don't get, I did," I wasn't sure if I heard that right from the soft whisper, but I was too worked up to give a fuck and just focused on getting to my date.
. x s2 x .
"So Edward, what are your intentions with my daughter?"
I felt like I was going to shit a brick. Ever since I rang the doorbell, Chief Swan seemed to always be at least in a five foot radius of me. That means, he answered the door before yelling up the stairs at Bella to tell her, her date was here, walked me to the living room, offered me a drink—begrudgingly though—and picked up one of about ten guns he had been 'cleaning' and started wiping it down.
"W-well sir, I was just planning on taking Bella out for dinner as a form of apology for what I had said earlier that hurt her feelings," I tried not to stutter. I gulped as his gaze became fixed on me as he (hopefully) accidentally pulled back the hammer while he was cleaning the dust off of it.
"Now what could you say that would hurt her feelings?" Shit. I should just keep my fist in my mouth so I can't say anything that might threaten his motives to shoot my balls off.
"Uh, it wasn't anything serious, we were just joking. She didn't really take offence into it," I tried to worm my way out of the hole I was starting to dig myself in, and it was obvious that he saw this.
But I think my prayers were answered because just then, Bella stepped into the room and said a quick "I'm ready to go."
I nearly jumped out of my seat and took her hand before she started leading us out. We almost made it too, before the chief bellowed, "Be back by nine!"
Bella turned around with a frustrated look, whining in what would be an adorable way if her dad wasn't still holding the most likely then not loaded 99mm he showed me, "But dad, that's way too early. At least give us till eleven!"
"Ohhhhhhh no way there missy, there's a lot two teenagers can do in four hours," he shook his finger at her.
"Uh, sir. If I could just say it takes half an hour just to get to the restaurant alone, depending on the traffic," I tried to clear my voice of the fear that was pooling underneath.
"Yes, and it shouldn't take you youngsters more than an hour to eat. Nine is plenty of time if you ask me," he gruffed out, and I made a mental note to bring extra pants next time because I nearly pissed myself when he decided to shake the gun at me instead of his finger.
"Come on daddy, ten. We won't do anything that you wouldn't approve of, promise," she tried to sway him.
"If it were nothing I would I approve of, then you wouldn't be on this date at all," he grumbled, but sighed reluctantly, turning his gaze on me. "Fine, ten and no later or I'm coming after you with my hunting rifle, got it, bud?"
"YesSir!" I yelped out, almost standing ramrod straight and bringing my right hand up with my forehead to salute him. It was my first instinct.
"Let's go Edward, I'm starving so we better be going somewhere good," Bella tugged me outside to my car and I was surprised I found myself coherent enough to open the door for her. I didn't normally do that for girls but her dad was still standing on the porch so it felt accustom if I chose to live.
As I pulled out, I let out a ghosted "Your dad seems nice."
Bella started giggled hysterically at that but I was still recovering from when my life started to flash before my eyes. "Yeah, and I'm Katy Perry. You should look at yourself, you look like you're about to burst into tears at any moment."
That snapped me out of it. "I do not!" I probably only looked like I saw a ghost.
"Well you did when my dad started pointing guns instead of fingers," she laughed. "It's okay; he is a really nice guy once you get to know him."
"I don't think I'd ever get enough on his good side to get to know him," I pointed out.
"Yeah, probably not," she smiled back teasingly. Thanks for the moral support, I wish to kiss your feet in gratitude.
"Anyway, let's stop talking about the serial killer in this horror film I found myself in."
"Okay."
"And thanks for the big nose comment, I think I wasted about and hour of my life staring at the mirror and thinking it looked like the size of an orange."
Bella laughed, "No problem. Where are we going anyway?"
"That's a surprise, you'll find out in thirty minutes." That wasn't exactly the subject changer I had in mind but it worked.
"Awww, come on, I hate surprises!" she pouted, and I finally had the chance to find her adorable now that all weapons were safely out of reach of my body.
"It's not anything too special so you wouldn't be all that surprised."
"If it's 'not anything too special' then why don't you just tell me?"
"Because then it wouldn't be a surprise," I grinned coyly, as she attempted to growl in aggravation but it sounded more like a kitten attempting to be a lion.
"You're no fun," she finally huffed, crossing her dainty delicate, instead of bony, arms across her chest.
"Oh I beg to differ," I waggled my eyebrows jokingly, which she blushed at but cracked her out of her foul mood into fits of laughter. But I was serious though, from where I had planned for us to go.
We got to our destination in good timing, chatting in easy conversation. It felt good compared to the half brained, awkward, or annoying ones I had to put up with in the past. I got out and felt I minus well open her door for her again as it seemed like the right gesture and held her hand as we walked up the steps to the quaint Italian restaurant.
"Bella Italia, eh? Nice, you just scored some serious points, even though it's a little cheesy," she smirked.
I mocked offence at her statement, putting my hand over my chest. "Why Ms. Swan, I could've brought you out to McDonald's if I really wanted to. And since when was this a game show?"
She laughed at that. "Okay Cheese Ball, lets go get some grub before I start eating the lawn."
"If that's what you really want," before I tugged her towards the hostess standing in the front of the restaurant, I finally noticed Bella's attire for the evening. Her hair was left down in its soft waves that I had been craving to run my fingers through all day. She was wearing a black mid-thigh sweater dress that was striped with white on the top. The pattern ending just bellow the bust, where there was a small metal ring placed in between the top, with sleeves just a little past the elbow. She matched it with a simple pair of flats which was a relief before if her legs looked any longer; I'd probably make a fool out of myself for getting down on the ground just to hug them. It was a surprisingly warm evening so she forgo a cardigan. I couldn't help but lick my lips in appreciation as my eyes lingered on her curves before I started to voice them, "You look absolutely sexy tonight Ms. Swan." My voice noticeably dropped an octave or two as I brought my eyes back up to look at hers under my eyelashes.
"Why thank you Mr. Cullen, although I'd prefer beautiful, but you don't look too bad yourself," she replied seductively, running her hand across the top of my chest slowly before undoing the forth button and walking past me.
Fuck me.
I quickly shook my head to rid the haze I was put in and rushed up to an in awe Bella standing in front of a concerned hostess.
"Surprise," I whispered in her ear like she had done to me earlier today. I told the girl my name and she led us to a secluded table in the back, and my date didn't seem to be moving so I gently guided her with my hand on the small of her back.
The restaurant was one I had heard was good for romantic settings with the dimmed lights, rose placed as décor on the tables, a dance floor, and live music. The food was pretty good too.
Bella seemed to gain her senses before we sat, to which I pulled the chair out for her. Like I said, minus well keep playing the gentleman card if I had already taken it out back at her house in front of the chief. I didn't want to have to admit to being a pussy anymore than what was already seen when around the chief.
"Looks like someone has an admirer," her eyes shifted in the direction of the hostess that had just left.
"Really? Is it you?" I grinned. I honestly didn't notice since I was trying not to be too obvious sniffing Bella's scent. It made my mouth water like a fountain.
"You wish, Cheese Ball," she snorted, rolling her eyes.
"Yes I do," I retorted back.
Before she could reply, the waiter asked, "What can I get you Sir and Madame. Maybe a drink for starters?" I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at him when I saw him keep stealing glances at Bella. It felt kind of strange because I never really gave a care in the world about my date, let alone if some other dude was checking them out. But then again, my dates were never this smoking hot.
"Bella?"
"Um," she quickly glanced at her menu, "a coke and the mushroom ravioli, please."
The waiter turned to me after staring at her way too intensely if you ask me, "And for you, Sir?"
"Same," I replied coolly, but in guy code, it said 'dude, you better back the fuck off'. He hurriedly walked off to place our orders, while I turned back to Bella, my smile coming back. "I guess I'm not the only one."
"Only one, what?" she gave the cutest puzzled expression I have ever seen.
"That has an admirer," I chuckled as her eyes widened in shock.
"Who, you?" she teased, although the pink coloring on her cheeks gave away that she knew who I was really talking about.
"Definitely," I licked my lips.
She rolled her eyes and asked instead, "What's your favourite color?"
Well I definitely wasn't expecting that. "Blue, yours?"
"It differs on my mood, but at the moment, brown," she replied simply. Impressive. "What's your favourite movie?"
"Hey, why do you get to ask all the questions?"
"Fine, then ask away."
"What's your favourite movie?" I smirked. She raised one perfect eyebrow at me.
"Cheese Ball."
"So what if I am? Do you have a problem with that?" I challenged. The waiter came back; his eyes focused on the drinks as he set them down in front of us and zipped away.
Bella took a sip from the straw before setting the cup back down. "Yes I do," she joked sarcastically. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"Yes I do," I threw her words back at her for throwing mine back at me. "And you didn't answer me, what's your favourite movie?" I repeated.
She rested her chin on her palm that was supported by her elbow on the tabletop, looking up at the ceiling in thought before choosing her answer. "The Nightmare before Christmas," she finally said, taking my by complete surprise. "What? That movie was awesome, I love Jack skeleton, and Tim Burton is a genius," she answered confidently, showing that she didn't give a crap if my reaction was negative.
"Nothing, I'm just surprised that's all. Don't worry, that's one of my favourites too, along with Edward Scissorhands, I mean, you can't say its not when the title has your name in it," we both laughed.
"Yeah, that movie was so cute, Johnny Depp did an amazing job as usual," she swooned, and that strange feeling came back.
The food came and Bella dug in straight away. She wasn't kidding when she said she'd eat the lawn, she was like a vacuum cleaner. It's good to know she's the kind that actually eats. And I salads and soups don't count as food in my vocabulary, no matter how big the salad is. "So what's your favourite season?"
She paused, waiting as she chewed and swallowed before accusing, "Hey, I get to ask next, quit stealing my turn!"
I raised my hands in front of me about shoulder height. "Sorry, but in my defence, I wouldn't steal it if you would ask one already."
"Alright fine, favourite quote?" She popped another piece of ravioli into her mouth as she waited for my response.
I swallowed my own food, picking up my coke, "'Hell is full of musical amateurs' – George Bernard Shaw, yours?" Gulping down the liquid when I realized my thirst, I kept my ears open.
"'"What 's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'"
"Romeo and Juliet? Who's being the Cheese Ball now?"
"Oh shut it, Shakespeare is too good not to quote." She drank the last bit of her coke before announcing, "Okay I'm done."
"Me too," I finished up the last bit of my food before looking back at her with a devious grin. "Wanna dance?"
That obviously took her off guard when she shouted, "Hell to the NO!"
"Why not? It's just slow dancing, the music isn't exactly upbeat," I bargained. Most girls jumped at the chance, but I guess I should've already figured out by now that Bella wasn't most girls.
"Do you even understand how clumsy I am?! I'd be lucky if I didn't end up killing myself, let alone you, or even the rest of the dancers!"
"Come on, it's all in the leading, I promise I won't let you kill yourself."
"Or yourself."
"Or myself," I sighed. It's not like she was wearing heals, so she should be fine. We weren't going to break out into some sort of break dance so she had nothing to worry about.
She still looked hesitant so I pushed out of my seat and gave her my hand, and I chuckled when she swiftly sent up a silent prayer before vacating her seat with me.
Shed a tear 'cause I'm missing you
I'm still alright to smile
Girl, I think about you every day now
Was a time when I wasn't sure
The all too familiar notes of a Guns n' Roses' Patience cover filtered throughout the small restaurant as soon as we got to the middle. Bella slowly brought her arms up and placed them around my neck, as I placed my hands on the sides of her petite waist. I felt the want to trail my hands lower but opted instead to pull her close. She looked up at me through her thick lashes and I was momentarily…dazzled before she rested her head onto my shoulder. She smelled so good.
But you set my mind at ease
There is no doubt you're in my heart now
Said woman take it slow
It'll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience
Said sugar make it slow
And we'll come together fine
All we need is just a little patience
(inhale) Patience...
Ooh, oh, yeah
We swayed back and forth until it neared the end of the song, and I felt Bella lift her head, looking up at me with that same look and I couldn't help but lean in.
I ain't got time for the game
'Cause I need you (Patience, yeah)
Our breaths ghosted over the other's mouths, weary but intentional, as I tilted my head to the side and gently pressed mine to hers. It was timid at first and I released hers for a moment, just hovering before I leaned back in and firmly moulded them back.
Yeah, yeah well I need you
Oh, I need you (Take some patience)
Whoa, I need you (Just a little patience is all we need)
Ooh, this ti- me....
The performing band changed to a different song but I didn't seem to care which one when she moved her hands into my hair and tugged me closer. Then, as if she had read my mind earlier, I felt her tongue slip out and lick my bottom lip. I was about to open my mouth when the worst timing could possible happen.
"Ahem," I unwillingly pulled away from Bella so see the waiter. "The check." My glare must've done something right because he took a step back, but the prick didn't leave.
I fished into my back pocket for my wallet and threw a couple of twenties at him, letting him pick it up, as I pulled Bella outside. "Fucking douche," I muttered.
Bella started giggling at my demeanour, patting me on the back. "Jeez bud, lighten up, we've been on the dance floor for at least ten minutes. I'm surprised they just didn't kick us out for all that PDA." Ten minutes? Was it really that long?
"But still," I pouted like a kid who got his toy taken away from him. Luck was in my favour when Bella 'aww'ed and pecked my lips as if to make it better.
I opened the door for her the second time that night and waited as she got in before getting in myself and started the drive home. By the time I pulled up onto Bella's driveway, I asked her, "What's your favourite book?"
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many to answer that one, and you stole my turn again!"
"My bad," I grinned. I've been doing that on purpose lately. There were too many questions I wanted to ask and there didn't seem to be enough time to voice them all.
"Okay, favourite song?"
"Too many, too," I admitted. But hey, music was basically my life.
"Favourite album?"
"Keep going." We were walking up her front steps.
"Artist?"
I waved my hand for her to continue.
We stopped to stand on her porch. "Okay, then what CD is in your car at the moment?"
"Debussy."
"My favourite is Clair De Lune," she sighed dreamily, as if remembering why, and again, I couldn't help but lean in and press my lips to hers, but all of a sudden she was yanked away.
"Good night Edward," the door was slammed in my face by the chief, but even that couldn't stop what I was feeling right now.
Clair de Lune.
Well fuck me if she wasn't my soul mate. Screw Alice, she had nothing to worry about. I planned to worship the ground Bella walked on for a hell of a lot longer than two weeks.
Hey sorry for the little wait, have been crazy busy this week and my internet is killing me with how slow its been going lately. I'll try to post the next one sooner :)
